03-04-2003, 04:05 PM
1. It is American policy, in general, to conduct its major regional contingencies in coalitions. That is, going to war as part of a coalition. So each big plan includes going at it with allies.
2. There was a huge debate in Congress post Cold War on what the base requirement was once the "Big Bear Threat based model" was changed. The "Capabilities Based" planning went from a base force of 12 divisions and 12 Carrier battle groups and twenty air wings (under Powell/Cheney) to 10 divisions and 11 battle groups (and IIRC sixteen air wings) under the Bottom Up Review that Aspen/Shalikashvili presided over. This has further eroded since then.
The reduction in force begged the question, particularly from a logistic support and heavy lift perspective, was can you fight two fights at once. A variety of views, "Win hold reinforce" were bandied about, and a number of Op Plans were called into question since there seemed to be double tasking of some units depending on the contingency. Also, the mobilization and deployment of reserve units runs into other questions since Pres Clinton's heavy engagement in "Operations Other Than War" dug deep into reserve units who in the Cold War never deployed.
Can we fight two big fights at once? The answer is yes . . . but . . . it will take a serious mobilization of the Reserves and deployment of National Guard assets to do it successfully. And most importantly, the full cooperation of various allies.
2. There was a huge debate in Congress post Cold War on what the base requirement was once the "Big Bear Threat based model" was changed. The "Capabilities Based" planning went from a base force of 12 divisions and 12 Carrier battle groups and twenty air wings (under Powell/Cheney) to 10 divisions and 11 battle groups (and IIRC sixteen air wings) under the Bottom Up Review that Aspen/Shalikashvili presided over. This has further eroded since then.
The reduction in force begged the question, particularly from a logistic support and heavy lift perspective, was can you fight two fights at once. A variety of views, "Win hold reinforce" were bandied about, and a number of Op Plans were called into question since there seemed to be double tasking of some units depending on the contingency. Also, the mobilization and deployment of reserve units runs into other questions since Pres Clinton's heavy engagement in "Operations Other Than War" dug deep into reserve units who in the Cold War never deployed.
Can we fight two big fights at once? The answer is yes . . . but . . . it will take a serious mobilization of the Reserves and deployment of National Guard assets to do it successfully. And most importantly, the full cooperation of various allies.
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete